Book Bazaar : Durban

Swop and Sell at the Book Bazaar
Indulge in a morning browsing through books!
Bring old books for all ages and exchange or sell to others
Enjoy the company of a new set of books in exchange for books you’ve already read!
Magazines dated Jan-Dec 2011 are welcome
Save money, space and the environment!

Date: 14 December 2011
Time: 10:00-12:00
Venue: 65 Meerut Road Westville
Entrance: R10 (adult) kids free
Bring a partner to promote your books while you are browsing
Carry small denominations of cash for change
Attach a price to each book
Contact: Khadija Lockhat
082 555 1431
031 266 2649
khatija@lockhat.com
www.kidenuf.wordpress.com

Tips for Reading Aloud

Source: The Book Chook

Parents who want the best for their kids, read aloud to them every day. Here are some Book Chook tips to get the most from your story sharing time:
• Make sure your child is comfortable, not hungry or thirsty or too tired. A great place for sharing a story is snuggled together in a big armchair. That feeling of love and closeness makes the read-aloud experience even more special.
• If I’m reading a print book aloud, I like to hold the book where my child can see the text while he listens, imagines, and gazes at the pictures. I believe this is an important step in pre-reading, helping kids make connections with what they hear and the print they see.
• Sometimes children find it difficult to sit still for a story. Encourage them to play quietly while you read, or to move around while you both listen to an audio book.
• Whenever you’re reading aloud each day – at bed time, or during lunch, or maybe while you’re in a waiting room – remember to make the experience fun. Encourage kids to join in whenever there’s an opportunity: maybe they can make an animal noise, or be a giant stomping about.
• If the book is new to you, try to scan it before a read-aloud session. It helps the flow if you know what’s coming next. You won’t stumble, trying to work out an unusual font or the meter of a rhyme.
• I like to use different voices for different characters, and vary my tone. If I’m creeping up to a dark, scary cave, I lower my voice, read slowly and draw out the suspense. If I’m doing dialogue between a mouse and a lion, I vary my voice accordingly. Sometimes I get my voices and characters muddled, but it doesn’t matter. Kids usually point it out, we giggle and move on.
• It’s important to be comfortable and develop your own style of reading aloud. Start reading to babies, they are very accepting, and absorb a lot about language by listening to the rhythm of your words. Check out story times at libraries or schools to get an idea of what works for others.

There are thousands, probably millions of wonderful books for children. Borrow from your local library or buy from markets and stores, but make sure there are many, many books in your home for your child to choose from. Sharing great books daily will give all kids a head start into happiness and success in life, and help their dreams come true.

If you’re interested in more ideas for family read alouds, you might like Ten Ways to Involve the Whole Family in Reading Aloud, Fourteen Fantastic Hints on Reading Aloud by Mem Fox Queen of Read Aloud, When Should We Start Reading to Kids?, Encouraging Young Readers, or Rhyme Helps Reading.}

In search of perfect parenting

From kidenuf.wordpress.com

I sometimes wish that there was a ready made module to teach me the rules of parenting. However, my search for this dream module is yet to be realised. In the interim, I have listened to other parents and taken advice from the elders and the professionals. Through these interactions, I have found some common practices which promise successful parenting.

Talk and listen: Spend quality time together

Spend some time each day talking to your children about their day. It may be a special time before bedtime or at the dinner table. If you have a busy lifestyle, then possibly talking in the car between activities can be an opportunity to get an idea about how your children are feeling about certain experiences. Genuinely listen to your children talking without interruptions from your cell phone or other activities. Talking and listening is a wonderful opportunity to brainstorm about solutions to problems and building trust between you and your child. Knowing that you care about their feelings makes them feel loved. As your children get older and they have had the opportunity to have a trusting relationship with you, they are more likely to discuss problem areas openly with you as opposed to consulting less trustworthy sources. Furthermore, it is valuable for your children to hear about your experiences as an adult. When you express how happy you are for instance about certain events, it impacts on your children. They are surrounded by feelings of well being and positivity.

Reading:
The benefits of reading are numerous. It develops children’s verbal and written language skills. Furthermore, it advances them academically and helps them to make sense of themselves, others and the world around them. Children who have access to different types of reading material, which include topics of interest to them and are surrounded by parents who show an interest in reading are more likely to want to read.
It is important to remember that children are never too old to be read to. Reading to your children is a wonderful opportunity to bond with them. Sitting close to them allows you the time to have physical contact with them and an opportunity to talk things through in a relaxed manner.

Teach them to make decisions responsibly
As opposed to being a dominating parent or alternatively, allowing children to behave as they see fit, teach your children to make choices and responsibly accepting the outcome of these choices. An example of this would be the dominating parent who says ‘I will hit you if you don’t go to bed’. This teaches children to be fearful or rebellious of the parent and all doors to communication are shut off. On the other hand, the relaxed parent will say, ‘Go to bed whenever you want’. Children from such homes have no boundaries, routine and accountability. They feel insecure and find it difficult to fit into society because of a lack of respect of rules. They battle not only within themselves but to maintain meaningful relationships socially and at school. However, if parents teach their children to make choices and act on them responsibly, these children learn self love, respect for others and are able to make responsible decisions in all types of situations. A parent, who follows this style of parenting will say,’ If you choose not to go to bed now, then you choose not to have an ice cream tomorrow’. Whatever decision the child makes has to be most definitely followed through. So if he chooses to go to bed late, then under no circumstances must ice cream be bought.

Learning happens best through play:
This type of play means free play where children interact with things in their environment without too many rules and adult interference unless it is really needed. This type of play can include dressing up, running around aimlessly chasing a friend, digging in the garden or playing with tea sets. Children who are allowed to explore the world through unstructured play benefit in many ways.

a. The development of the small muscles and the larger muscles of the body help children to prepare for the formal activities at school like handwriting or sitting upright in a chair to concentrate on the lesson being taught.
b. Free play allows children to use language in creative ways, encourages them to listen to their friends and to learn about turn taking. This prepares them for dealing with conflict resolution, peer relationships and other social issues like sharing and helping later in life.
c. Being able to play with sand and water for instance teaches children about spatial relationships and hand eye co- ordination which is beneficial for many learning areas later on.

Positive self esteem has lifelong benefits:
Having a positive self esteem early on in childhood serves to build even stronger positive beliefs about themselves as children grow older. The more self respect children have for themselves, the better they feel about their ability in attempting new challenges. Each small experience of success, builds greater self esteem. There are a few ways parents can assist in building positive self esteem.
a. Parents must encourage their children more for the effort then the outcome.
b. Be generous with praise.
c. The praise you give must be truthful and not exaggerated.
d. Focus on children’s strong points and celebrate each child’s individuality.
e. Practice positive self talk.
f. Hug and kiss your children. Tell them you love them often.

Routine and responsibility:
Children feel secure and loved when they have some form of routine in their lives. Having control over how their time will be spent gives meaning and security to their lives. The amount of routine will depend on each family and each child. Some children enjoy more structured routines then others. Routines ensure that fewer power struggles exist in the home. As the home is run more efficiently, everyone feels less stressed and this leaves more time for fun and laughter. Furthermore, giving children the responsibility to do a job gives them a sense of confidence because they feel honoured that a parent has trusted their ability to do the job well.
Each child is different and therefore each parenting experience is unique. I don’t think I will ever find the perfect parenting module. I’ve decided to go along with the words of experience, rely on my gut feeling much of the time and pray it all turns out o.k!

Focus: The Importance of Reading

Parents know that they are supposed to read but too often we become too ‘busy’ to sit with our children and engage in a wonderful world of words. The following articles (one from an Islamic perspective and the other by a Western writer) are to provide you with motivation to start or continue your journey:

The Importance of Reading in Islam
Learn How Islam Emphasises The Need To Be Literate

Maria Zain
“Read!” the voice resonated in the cave of Mount Hira’ for the third time. The man called Muhammad froze, mostly in fear and confusion in the arms of Arch Angel Gabriel. When he found his voice, he told the angel he did not know how to read.
“Read, in the name of thy Lord who created, man from a clot. Read, for your Lord is most Generous, who teaches by means of the pen, teaches man what they know not,” (al-’Alaq: 1-5)
The man soon to be known as Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) received the first revelation of the holy Qur’an – Islam’s holy scripture that remains untainted and unchanged until this very day. The underlying message of the Qur’an remains too – “read.”
The Qur’an is the most quoted book in the world, describing Islam as the complete way of life for every Muslim to follow. It is also the most widely read, recited and memorised book in the world.
Reading comes naturally to humans when the time comes to broach education. Children as young as three are learning to read in some countries. Benefits orf reading come like no other. Educators agree that reading to young babies every day ignites curiosity in reading material and teaches children to respect and cherish books. Reading is also a catalyst for growth and development. Young, avid readers are more likely to grow into confident adults.
Reading is knowledge
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged his followers to broaden their horizons by seeking knowledge – even to the depths of China (Bukhari). He enthusiastically welcomed traders from different countries to stop-by in Madinah to have his followers learn and appreciate their cultures.
Nowadays, reading material is of abundance and allows the plight for knowledge to be easier than ever.
Reading – a compensation for freedom
The first battle Muslims fought was the battle of Badr, whereby they were attempting to salvage their rightful possessions that their Quraysh brethren had hijacked and were transporting to sell off for profits. When the small number of ousted Muslims triumphed against the men of Makkah, many of their former friends and relatives were held as prisoners.
Muslims during the first years of the Islam comprised mostly of the poor and illiterate – they were mostly those who escaped undue discrimination and mal-treatment of the wealthy. When these Muslims captured the people who had once tortured them in their homeland Makkah, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and unkindness towards the Quraysh prisoners.
Instead, her ordered for them to be quartered amongst Muslims and to be treated with kindness. Some were allowed to buy their freedom through ransoms. Some were given the alternative: to teach 10 Muslims how to read and write. Upon doing so, they would be free, (Ibrahim B. Syed, Education of Muslims in Kentucky Prisons; Louisville: Islamic Research Foundation International).
Reading as part of building a civilisation
A milestone in the development of Islam was marked during the treaty of Hudaybah. The Muslims were venturing back to Makkah to perform the pilgrimage ritual. They were stopped by the Quraysh – the tribe now worried that the Muslims were growing stronger. A treaty was enacted to disallow Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his followers to only perform the rite the following year. In return, the Quraysh promised 10 years of peace between themselves and the Muslims. In addition to that, the Muslims were also free to spread the message of Islam.
Upon the enactment of this document, the Muslims jumped at the opportunity to teach followers of other faiths what they had learned about their new religion. Little did they know, the treaty was to be breached two years later by their nemesis. They paraded into Makkah with full triumph and reclaimed the land that was rightfully theirs.
None of this would have happened should the Muslim entourage not have the ability to read and agree to the contract.
Reading the Qur’an: plenty of blessings
Most importantly for Muslims is the desire to read the Qur’an. Reading the Qur’an however, also means to understand the words and to practice what is being taught. Muslims are told that the ranking of Muslims in Paradise would be determined by the number of Qur’anic verses a Muslim has learned during his or her lifetime.
Allah says, “Those who recite the Book of Allah, and establish the prayer, and spend of that which We have bestowed on them secretly and openlu, they look forward to imperishable gain, that He will pay them their wages and increase them of His grace. Lo! He is Forgiving, Responsive.” (Fatir: 29-30)
The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) reminded, “Those who recite the Qur’an beautifully are like the noble scribes (angels)l but as for those who are struggling to read it with hardship will merit double rewards,” (Bukhari & Muslim).

The Importance of Reading in Islam: Learn How Islam Emphasises The Need To Be Literate http://islamic-beliefs.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_importance_of_reading_in_islam#ixzz0pmubboq9

importance of reading to baby

What better gift can we give our children than a love of reading?

Teaching children to read is one thing; encouraging them to want to read is another. Obviously very young children can’t read themselves, so reading to them each day is such an important first step. Why?

It gets them thinking creatively, sets reading up as an enjoyable activity, gives children an appreciation and respect for books, promotes language and vocabulary development, and allows for lots of great family time. Nothing beats a cuddle on the lounge or on a huge bean bag with your child while you read a book together.

When we read to children we:
• Answer children’s questions.
• Promote language skills
• Promote reading skills
• Develop longer attention spans
• Strengthen family relationships
Even if you don’t have a lot of time, and let’s be honest a lot of us don’t, you can still encourage your child to read by making up stories to go with picture books with no words or attending a regular storytelling time. Most libraries offer this on a regular basis.

it’s never too early to start!
Children’s brains begin to develop from the moment they emerge from the womb. Newborns respond to bright pictures, the rhythm of words and the comfort of a parent speaking to them. As parents, the voice we use when we read to children is different to our normal speaking voice which is something they really respond to.

The foundations that determine how clever, creative and imaginative a child will be are largely laid down by the time a child turns one. It’s incredible but true: at this age, most children have learnt all the sounds that make up the spoken language. By the age of two, children have a vocabulary of around 50 words.

Research has shown that language is acquired most rapidly in the first five years of life. What better way to teach language than to read to your children?

Reading aloud to children will develop their speaking skills and help them to make connections – the look of words, the way they work in sentences, how the word functions. Books can help children to learn to concentrate, to explore their inner feelings, to express themselves and to resolve conflicts.

Recent studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between literacy success and success within the wider world. Even self-esteem has been linked to the ability to read and write. Don’t underestimate the power of books.

Don’t worry if you don’t have any children’s books at home, a young baby will love hearing you read from the newspaper or your favourite novel as long as you make it sound good to them. Play up the animation and use your best acting skills – they’ll love it.

The experts say that children need 1,000 stories read to them before they begin to learn to read for themselves. Sounds like a lot? It’s just three stories a day over a year.

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